Ribbon mechanism



1955 P. J. SCHLESSIGER ETAL 2,724,332

RIBBON MECHANISM Filed Dec. 24, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

INVENTORS 8 PAUL J. SCHLESSIGER LEE SMITH BY 7 ATTORNEY 1955 P. J- SCHLESSIGER ETAL RIBBON MECHANISM Filed Dec. 24, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J Lisa r----- H lNVENTORS 1 LI PAUL J. SCHLESSIGER LEE SMITH ATTORNEY Nov- 22, 1 P. J- SCHLESSIGER ETAL 2,724,332

RIBBON MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 24, 1952' XNVENTORS PAUL J. SCHLESSIGER LEE SMITH FIG. 5.

ATTORNEY Nov. 22, 1955 P. J- SCHLESSIGER ET AL 2,724,332

RIBBON MECHANISM Filed Dec. 24, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS PAUL J. SCHLESSIGER LEE SMITH J M a;

ATTORNEY maintained for the life of the ribbon.

2,724,332 Patented Nov. 22, 1955 2,124,332 RIBBON MECHANISM Paul J. Schlessiger and Lee Smith, Endicott, N. Y., assigners to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 24, 1952, Serial No. 327,397

3 Claims. (Cl. 101-336) This invention relates to means under the control of an inking ribbon for automatically and concurrently reversing the movement of ribbon feed in a longitudinal direction, shifting the ribbon in a transverse direction, and changing the point of ribbon reinking.

The advent of relatively high speed printing machines, particularly those of the line-by-line type, has made it necessary to find ways and means to make inking ribbons last a reasonable length of time, and at the same time to produce good, legible, printed records from those ribbons. This problem is of particular importance when considered from the standpoint of maintenance; ie., making it unnecessary to replace the ribbons very frequently while the machines are in use.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide improved means for extending the useable lifeof an inking ribbon.

For illustrative purposes, the instant invention is shown applied to a line-by-line printer of the general type shown anddescribed in U. S. Patent No. 2,438,071, issuedMarch 16, 1948, to R. E. Page et al. However, it is not intended to limit the use of this invention to this particular type of printing machine as the invention lends itself for use with many other types of printers.

In order to be able to produce properly inked printed records from printing machines of the aforementioned type, the condition of the inking ribbon must be controlled so that the desired wetness of the ribbon can be In other words, the ribbon mustnot be permitted to become too dry nor too wet. i

It is known that the drier the ribbon, the more subject it is to wear from impact with the printing type members. A properly inked ribbon will stand up longer than a dry ribbon, and consequently the user of a machine having a properly inked ribbon thereon saves both time and money. i

It is also known that the wetter the ribbon, the more likely it is for the excess ink to run between the various printing type members, and cause the same to stick and to eventually misprint. In addition thereto, an excessively \wet ribbon causes smeary printing to render poor printed records.

Generally, inking ribbons used in machines of the aforementioned kind, are of the type adapted to be wound on alternately drivable spools. This fact is taken advantage of in the present method of reinking the ribbon inthat ink is applied to the ribbon just prior to winding the same on a spool and during the feeding movement there of only. This method of reinking permits a more even distribution of the ink applied to the ribbon throughout the entire ribbon, and allows for the proper wetness of the ribbon so that it is never over-inked.

Most inking ribbons adapted to be wound on alternately drivable spools are wide enough to afford two longitudinal printing areas to the printing type members of a machine. Thus, the useable life of a ribbon may be lengthened appreciably by utilizing the two said printing areas. This is accomplished in the present method by shifting the ribbon in a transverse direction when reversing the direction of feed of the ribbon so as to alternate between the two longitudinal ribbon areas.

Accordingly, another object of this invention, is the provision of means under the control of an inking ribbon to automatically and concurrently reverse the movement of ribbon feed in a longitudinal direction, shift the ribbon in a transverse direction, and change the point of ribbon reinking so that the ribbon is reinked just prior to being wound on a winding spool.

In line with the foregoing, a more specific object of this invention resides in the provisionof means under the control of a continuously moving ,inking ribbon for automatically and concurrently reversing the movement of ribbon feed in a longitudinal direction, shifting the ribbon in a transverse direction, and changing the point of ribbon reinking so that the ribbon is reinked just prior to being wound on a winding spool, when a ribbon winding spool becomes empty.

A still more specific object of this invention is to provide means for continuously reinking an. inking ribbon moving alternately in forward and reverse directions just prior to winding the inking ribbon on to a winding spool.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention. and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle. i

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the ribbon feeding and reinking mechanism on a printing machine.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the left hand section of the mechanism taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an electrical diagram showing circuits relating to the ribbon feeding and reinking. r r

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic viewof the rcinking apparatus of the left hand section of the ribbonfeeding and reinking mechanism. l

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

line 4-4 of General operation the winding spools 12 and 13 through the following path:

starting at the left winding spool 12, the ribbon passes between the left switch actuating arm 14 and the ribbon guide plate 15; around the ribbon roller guide 16, thelef't reinker roller 17, and the ribbon roller guide 18; between the printing wheels 11 and the platen 19; around the ribbon roller guide 20, the right reinker roller 21, and the ribbon roller guide 22; between the right switch actuating arm 23 and ribbon guide plate 24; and onto the right winding spool 13.

of arm 14, shown more clearly in Fig. 2, to strike a left:

switch operating arm 33 so as to operate a switch 34. As

. 3 to. be explained more fully in the circuit description, operation of the said switch causes the following actions to take place concurrently: (a) the engagement of the left winding spool Clutch in order to drive s ool 12 iii a clockwise direction, and the dis'efigagerhent of the right winding spool clutch seas to render spool 13 free-Ineving; (b) the cosnter ciockwise movement of reinker roller er'igag'rig" amt 78 (Fig. 1) in order to cause contest betwee" eink'e'r roller 17 and a left reinker wic'k as see also Fig. and the counterclockwise movement or rein er roller engaging ariri 29 in order to separate the reinker rdller 21' and right reihke'r wick 3 6; (C) arid a downward transverse. movement of the ribbon iii order to present the upper longitudinal ribboii printing area to the printing wheels 11. y I

Throughout this entire description, reference will be tirade to the-upper and lower longitudinal ribbon printii ig' area's;v ith reference to Fig. 5, the longitudinal area fibbo'ii 10 above the ribbon center line 37 will be termed the upper printing area, and the longitudinal area of rib- Y low ee'iite'r line 37 will be termed the lower firin'tir'1g area."

As mentioned hereinbefore, for illustrative purposes the instant invention is shown applied to a line-by-line pri'ri't'e'r b'f'tlie general types h'owii and described in U. S. Pa'terifNo. 2,438,071, issued March 16, 1 948, to R. E. Page" et al. The said printer is fully described in the said patent and in order to avoid undue prolixity, will be desensed only briefly herein.

With reference to Fig. 1 each printing wheel 11 is 'carried by'ari arm loosely pivoted upon a rod 26. Duririg" prin't't'ifrie, arm 25 is rocked about the rod 26 against the action of a return spring 28 so that the printing wheel 11 associated therewith is moved toward the platen 19 to strike'the san'ie' squarely and firmly to cause a legible impression. I

Ribbon feeding and rein/ting mechanism .-In'view of the fact that the left hand and right hand ribbon feeding and reinking mechanisms 40 and 41, respectively, are similar, only the left hand mechanism 40 will be described herein in order to avoid prolixity.

Referring to Fig. 2, main drive shaft 42', driven contiriuously by a motor 43 (Fig. 3), causes a left winding spool drive shaft 44 and a right winding spool drive shaft (not shown) to revolve continuously. The left drive shaft 44 has attached thereto a bevel gear 45 for driving a right winding spool intermediate shaft 46 which, in turn, has attached; thereto at its right end, a bevel gear (not shown) similar to gear 47 for driving the right winding poplsha ts. flfheleft shaft 44 has a clutch gear drive plate 48 fixedly atta hed. 9 i s ppe nd; e a P t having three d ve studs 49 (Eig. 6) projecting therefrom and normal there: to.. A wi nding spool clutch gear 50 is arranged on plate 48 so that openings in the said gearare aligned with the drive studs 49., Gear 59 is held in position on the said plateby a-spiderspring 5,6which, in turn, is held in posiqn-b la pr ne re r -v I H t ileft; winding spool driven shaft 58 (-Fig. 2) hasa w nding spool, gear 59 and a drive bushing 60 fixed there-. to. A -driving pin 61 projectsfrom both ends of the bushing. ,One, end of; pin 61 extends within an opening in the 1; er side of winding spool 12 while the other end ex-' t e dethrough a spring and within a brake disc 62. Wndingspool 1 2 is heldin place on bushing 60 by a knurled nut 66 which is threaded onto driven shaft 53. Thus, when the drivebushing 60 is causedto revolve, the winding spool 12' and the brake .disc 62 are causedto revolyefl therewith ,by the connecting action of pin 61.

kedisc 62 is lined with a brake material 63 which I, ontact with, the upper surface of the ribbon mechasupport plate 64. A spider spring 65positioned een bushing 60 and disc 62 affords a suitable pressure between the brake material 63 and the support plate 64.;

The braking action resulting therefrom is highly desirable in order to avoid undue strain on inking ribbon 10 during ribbon reversals. When a ribbon reversal occurs, the rotation of the winding spools is rapidly reversed; i. e., to be more accurate, the spools decelerate to a momentary stop, and then accelerateto' full speed in the other direction. If there were no braking action to decelerate the ribbon, during ribbon reversal time the winding spools would be snapped from one directionto the other. This would ereate an undue strain on the ribbon. v

AS is shown in Fig. 6, a nu mengs m earn 70 is connected to core 71 of the left reinker and reverse solenoid 72. When coil 73 of solenoid 72 is energized, a clockwise motion is imparted to cam arm 70 as core 71 is attracted toward coil 73. Thus, elutch engaging cam 74 is caused to engage the lower side of winding spool clutch gear 51). This action causes clutch gear 50 to tilt to a position Where several notches thereon engage notches of the winding spool gear 59 (Fig-2). Thus, the rotational movement of main drive shaft 42 is imparted to winding spool 12 via the left winding spool clutch now engaged. It is to be obs'erve din Fig. 6 that thetilting action referred to hereinabove is brought about when cam 74 engages clutch gear 50, due to the fact that the clutch gear openings 55 are of a slightly larger diameter than the drive pins 49.

When coil 73 (Fig. 6) is de-energized, return spring irn'pa'rts a'counterclockwise motion to earn arm 70. As a result thereof, earn 74 is moved away from clutch gear 50', and spider spring 56 forces gear 50 away from winding spool gear 59 to thereupon disengage the-left winding spool clutch. I 7

As is shown in Fig. 5, in addition to being attached to clutch engaging cam arm 70, the solenoid core 71 is loosely connected by stud 79 to reinker arm 76 which; in turn, is fixed to-vertical rod 77. Thus, the reinker roller engaging arm 78 which is also fixed to rod 77 is caused to move in'a counterclockwise direction when reiiiker and reverse coil 73 is energized; The movement imparted thereto is s'utlicient to cause contact between reinker wick 35 and reinker roller -17. It is to beobserved in-Fig. 1 that the ribbon 10 is tensioned by the reinker rollers 17 and 21 notwithstanding the position of either of the said rollers-with respect to its associated reinker wick. Due to this contact between the ribbon and the reinker rollers, both'of the rollers are caused to revolve duringthe time that the ribbon is advancing in either direction. However, since only the reinker roller associated with the driven winding spool is in contact with its respective reinker wick, ink is applied to ribbon 10' only at a point, just prior to winding the ribbon onto a winding sp'oolv With particular reference to the left hand ribbon feeding and reinking mechanism 40 shown in Figs. land 5, one end of reinker wick 35 projects from reinker 8i) so as to contact reinker roller .17 when coil 73 is energized. The other end of wick 35 isimmersed in ink contained within the reinker cartridge 81. Reinker 80 is held in position on ,top' of the printing machine by a reinker cartridge-holder 82; In order to apply ink directly to the longitudinal ribbon area in use, reinker 80 is positioned within cartridge holder 82 so that wick 35 is in contact with an area on reinker roller 17 which is aligned with the upper longitudinal inking ribbon area, whereas reinker 89 is positioned within cartridge holder 90 so that wick 36.is in contact with an area on reinker roller -21,which is aligned with the lower longitudinal inking ribbon area. U

Referring .to Fig. 4, the ribbon shifting apparatus of the left hand ribbon feeding and reinking' mechanism 40 ill. cludesin general a ribbon shifting arm 92 with ribbonroller guides 16 and 18 thereon, mounted on .a'p'ivot rod 84 and, attached, at one end, to core 93 of the shiftc'oil 86. When shift coil 86 isenergized andcore193 is at. tracted, thereto, a clockwise movement about, pivot rod84 isin parted to the shifting arm 92, This causes the ribbon roller guides 16 and 18 to move downwardly. This move:

ige h ment is of a magnitude to present the upper longitudinal ribbon printing area to printing wheels 11 (Fig. 1). When shift coil 86 is de-energized, the return spring 87 causes the shifting arm 92 to move in a counterclockwise direction and ribbon roller guides 16 and 18 upwardly. This movement is of a. magnitude to present the lower longitudinal ribbonprinting area to printing wheels 11 (Fig. 1)

The ribbon shifting apparatus of the right hand ribbon feeding and reinking mechanism 41 is similar to the shifting apparatus just described. Thus, as shift coils 86 and 88 (Fig. 1) are energized and deenergized concurrently, the upper and lower longitudinal ribbon printing areas are presented to the line ofprinting wheels. As the description advances, the circuit for causing a shift in a transverse direction of the ribbon at each ribbon reversal, will be explained.

Circuit description As described hereinbefore, when eyelet 30 (Fig. 1) engages the {switch actuating arm finger 31 so as to move switch actuating arm 14 counterclockwise, a lateral extension 32 of the said arm strikes the switch operating arm 33 of the left switch 34. Arm 14 is held in this position bytr igger spring 91. As is shown in Fig. 3, the above-described action causes the switch contacts 95 to close the, following circuit to energize relay coil R1P:

starting at terminal 97 of voltage source 98, to line 99, through contacts 95, through coil Rl-P, to line 100, and to terminal 101 also of voltage source 98. When coil Rl-P is energized its contacts R1-1, R1-2 and R1-3 are transferred so that the left reinker and reverse coil 73 is energized when contacts R1-1 close, the right reinker and reverse coil101 is tie-energized when contacts R1-2 open, and .the left and right ribbon shift coils 86 and 88, respectively, are energized when contacts R1-3 close. Thus, the closingof switch contacts 95 of left switch 34 causes the left winding spool clutch to engage and the left winding spool 12 to be driven in a clockwise direction; the right winding spool clutch to disengage; the left reinker roller 17 to contact reinker wick 36; the right reinker roller 21 to be moved away from wick 36; and the shift mechanism to operate whereby the roller guides 16, 18, and 22 are moved downwardly to present the upper longitudinal printing area of ribbon 10 to the line of printing wheels.

As the ribbon 10 starts to wind on winding spool 12 (Fig. 1), the eyelet engages the switch actuating arm finger 108 so as to move arm 14 clockwise, and the lateral extension 32 away from operating arm 33. Arm 14 is held in this position by spring 91. This action opens contacts 95 and de-energizes relay coil R1-P. However, as the relay which is operated when coil Rl-P is energized is a latch type relay, the contacts Rl-l, R1-2 and R1-3 remain transferred. As is known in the art, a latch type relay is one which is mechanically maintained operative after the pick coil thereof is once energized. The contacts of this type of relay are returned to a normal position only after a latch trip coil is energized to disengage .the mechanical latching means holding the contacts transferred.

When the eyelet (not shown) attached to the right end portion of ribbon 10 engages the switch actuating arm finger 103 (Fig. l), the right switch contact 104 (Fig. 3) is caused to transfer; i. e., a lateral extension 105 (Fig. l) of arm 23 strikes the switch operating arm 106 of the right switch 107. This action causes the following circuit to energize latch trip coil Rl-T: starting at terminal 97, to line 99, through contacts 104 normally open, through coil R1-T, to line 100, and to terminal 101. The energization of coil R1-T disengages the mechanical latching means holding contacts R1-1, R1-2 and R1-3 transferred. Thus, the right reinker and reverse coil 102 is energized when contacts R1-2 close, and thereby causes the right winding spool clutch to engage and drive the right winding spool 13 in a counterclockwise direction.

The energization of coil 102 also causes the engagement,

In summation, when the eyelet 30 (Fig. 1) attached to the left end portion of continuously advancing ribbon 10 engages finger 31, the electrical contact within left switch 1 34 is rendered closed. This completes an electric circuit whereby left reverse and reinker coil 73 and left and right shift coils 86 and 88, respectively, are caused to be energized, and opens an electric circuit whereby right reverse and reinker coil 102 is caused to be de-energized. As a result of the foregoing, the direction of feed of ribbon 10 is reversed so that the ribbon is wound on winding spool 12, and the point of ribbon reinking is changed from reinker roller 21 to roller 17. In addition thereto, ribbon 10 is shifted in a transverse direction so as to present the upper longitudinal printing area. of the ribbon to printing wheels 11.

When the eyelet attached to the right end portion of ribbon 10 engages finger 103, the electric contact within right switch 107 is transferred. This completes an electric circuit whereby right reverse and reinker coil 102 is caused to be energized, and opens an electric circuit whereby left reverse and reinker coil 73 and left and right shift coils 86 and 88, respectively, are caused to be deenergized. Thus, the direction of feed of ribbon 10 is once again reversed, and the ribbon is now wound on winding spool 13 while being reinkedby reinker roller 21. In addition thereto, the de-energization of shift coils 86 and 88 causes ribbon 10 to be shifted in a transverse di rection so that the lower longitudinal printing area of the ribbon is presented to the printing wheels 11.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A mechanism for operating upon an inking ribbon on a machine having printing members in a printing station comprising a pair of drivable winding spools on which the inking ribbon is adapted to be wound on opposite sides of the printing station, a pair of ribbon reinking devices arranged on opposite sides of the printing station, electric control means to render alternately operative each one of said pair of reinking devices for spreading ink on the inking ribbon, means governed by said control means to shift the inking ribbon whereby a succeeding one of a plurality of superposed ribbon printing areas is positioned in printing alignment with the printing members, means governed by said control means to alternately drive each one of said winding spools so that the inking ribbon is moved alternately in forward and reverse directions, and electric circuit means including a first switch under the control of the inking ribbon moving in a forward direction and a second switch under the control of the inking ribbon moving in a reverse direction to control said control means for governing said winding spool driving means, said reinking device operating means, and said ribbon shifting means so as to automatically and concurrently change the direction of ribbon movement, shift the inking ribbon to a succeeding ribbon printing area, and alter the point of ribbon reinking.

2. In a mechanism for operating upon an inking ribbon on a machine having printing members thereon, wherein 7 the in-ling ribbon h as attached thereto a switch 3 operating enemies approximately each end thereof; a pairof drivable} winding" spool-s on which the inking ribbon is adapted' 'to b'e *wound; a 1 winding spool drive mechanism;

a-pair ofengageableclutches each of which isf-associated' with one of=saidz pair ofiwindi-ng -spools to connect said winding-.1 spools to said drive-mechanism} a pa-ir-of reinking devices for reinking the inking ribbon; means for mounting each of saidire'inking devices for movement relative torthe inkingribbon; means-to shift the. inking ribbonlin a .transverse direction .so that superposed ribbon printing, areas ,running lengthwise of the inkingribbon are alternately-l placed. in, printing alignment with the. printing; members; a;,firstelectric switch associated with'one of said winding, spools; a; second electric switch associatedwithdheaother; of; said-winding; spools; a first solenoidgfor engaginone of said.v clutches,and moving, one of said.

rejnking; device mounting;.means; asecond solenoid-for engaging the:- otherof said: clutches'and moving the. other of saidireinking;device=mountingmeans; a third solenoid for,controllingsaidribbon shiftzmeans; andelectric circuit means includingsaid solenoids under the control of said switches to, simultaneously energize said first solenoid and said third solenoid and de-energize'said. second solenoidwhen-a;switchoperating elementattachedto one end of; the.- inkingtribbon renders said first, switch, operative,

and-to-sirnultaneously energize said second solenoid and deenergize-said firstsolenoid and said third solenoidtwhen aswitchroperating element attachedito the other end of the inking;ribbon renders said; secondswitch, operative,

thereby moving .-the, inking ribbon in :forward and i reverse; directions alternately. for substantially its fulljlength, shift-' ing the inking ribbonso that'superposed ribbon printing:

areasare. placed in printing alignment with the printing members alternately, andchangingv thepoint ofribbon.

reinking 3.. A mechanismior operatinguponan inking-ribbon. on a machine having printing members in a printing:

8 stationcomprising a pairof 'drivable winding spools on which the inking ribbonis adapted to bewound -onoppo site sides of-the printing station;- a-pa'ir of-ribbon retaking-1 devices arranged on opposite sides of the printing station;

control means including i a first, a second='and"'af thirdwinding spools so'that the inking ribbon is moved alter nately in forward and reverse directions; an'd electric' -cir cuit means including afirst switchtunder the control of the inkingribbon moving in a forward direction and a second switch under the control of the inking ribbon moving in a reverse direction-to govern saidcontrolfniea-ns; said first switch being effective to cause saidlfi'rstand 'said third electricaldevices to'operate and said secondfswitchj being effective to cause saidjsecond electricaldevice 'to operate so as to automatically and concurrently change;

- the direction of inking ribbon movement, shiftthe; inking ribbon to a succeeding ribbon printing area, and alter the point of ribbon reinking.

References Cited in thefilc of; this patent UNITED STATES. PAT ENTS. 511,374 Taylor Dec; 26,1893; 662,790 Hopkins Nov-L 277, 1900. 1,750,955 Eck-landet: a1. Mar: .18, 193.0. 1,841,139 Muller Ian. 12, 1932; 2,203,757 Vega June-l1, 1940? 2,623,750

Masterson Dec.- 30.,'. 19522 

